Nonu injury played down

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has no concern about the fitness of game-breaking back Ma'a Nonu ahead of Saturday's Super 14 final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Midfield dynamo Nonu sat out the second half of training here today because of concern over his right hamstring, with Tamati Ellison running in his place.

A blunt Cooper said there was no significant problem but refused to give details when pressed on the extent of the injury.

"This is what we've been doing all year, monitoring players, so we don't take any risks at training," Cooper said. "... there's no need for him to carry on and risk injury."

Cooper said the hamstring hadn't been an ongoing issue although this was contradicted by Nonu having his right thigh heavily strapped from the outset of today's light session.

The rest of the squad trained without incident, leaving Cooper content he would have a full contingent to call on.

After a mixed season, Nonu has been in sharp form in the last two games against the New South Wales Waratahs, making a host of line breaks. He moved in one place to second five-eighth for those two games, with Tana Umaga shifting out to centre.

Nonu's name has already been mentioned by countless Crusaders players when assessing the dangers presented by the Hurricanes.

Experienced Hurricanes lock Paul Tito probably had his dreadlocked teammate in mind as well when he spoke today of the difference a couple of individual moments of magic can have on a tight match.

"It only takes two line breaks and finishing off those two -- in a final that may be all it takes," Tito said.

- NZPA